Bill > HR6242

This bill, known as the Healthy MOM Act (Healthy Maternity and Obstetric Medicine Act), aims to improve maternity healthcare coverage and access for pregnant individuals across multiple healthcare systems. The bill establishes a special enrollment period for pregnant individuals to obtain health insurance, requires group health plans to cover maternity care for dependents of any age, and mandates 12-month continuous Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for pregnant and postpartum individuals. The legislation addresses significant maternal health disparities, particularly for communities of color, by recognizing that Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women are about three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications. The bill seeks to improve healthcare access by allowing pregnant individuals to enroll in health insurance outside of standard enrollment periods, ensuring comprehensive maternity care coverage, and extending Medicaid eligibility standards. Key provisions take effect in January 2027 and apply to various healthcare systems, including federal employee health benefit plans, private insurance exchanges, and state Medicaid programs. The bill's broader purpose is to protect women's and newborns' health by ensuring affordable and comprehensive pregnancy-related healthcare coverage, with the ultimate goal of reducing maternal mortality rates and improving overall maternal and infant health outcomes.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6242/all-info